UNFAIR TERMS IN THE CONTRACTUAL PRACTICES OF PRODUCTION AND SUPPLY CHAINS OF CONSUMER GOODS

In the first four-month period, the research will examine the European and national regulatory framework and its interaction with sector-specific rules, in light of case law and the practice of alternative mechanisms for solving disputes, such as the Banking and Financial Ombudsman.The second four-month period will focus on ex officio judicial control and the effects of declaration of nullity of the main clauses which are most frequently subject to litigation, as well as the related issues of restitution.The third and final phase will be devoted to public and collective enforcement, with particular attention to the powers of the Italian Authority for Competition and the impact of its decisions in civil proceedings. The study will conclude with a comparative analysis aimed at identifying similarities and differences in control mechanisms and in the effectiveness of consumer protection across the European Union.